Working the odds [new procedure eliminates invasive colonoscopy]

[truthisfreedom]

ok, that's it. i'm old enough to get one... i'm getting one of these tests.

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http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2003/12/02/working_the_odds/

Working the odds

The field of genetic counseling is booming as doctors learn more about the hereditary basis for dreaded diseases, and enlist patients in the battle against them

By Raja Mishra, Globe Staff, 12/2/2003

The dreaded colonoscopy now has a high-technology competitor that can detect lethal tumors inside the intestines with equal accuracy but without the sedation, health risks or pain.

According to a new study, the virtual colonoscopy, which probes intestines using computerized X-rays, catches a few more suspicious colon growths than traditional colonoscopy, in which physicians snake tube-like cameras several feet up patients' rectums.

<snip>
In the study, released yesterday by the New England Journal of Medicine, 1,223 adults underwent colon cancer screening with both procedures.

Virtual colonoscopy caught 93.8 percent of colon growths under 10 millimeters in diameter. The standard test caught 87.5 percent. The computerized test caught 55 more colon growths that were smaller than 5 millimeters in size than standard colonoscopies.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. I bet the nurses there could tell you a lot about farting... (eom)

LICK BUSH Buttons, Stickers & Magnets

[harper]

2. I had a traditional colonoscopy last month

It wasn't bad...they give you some lovely drugs so I was out of it for most of the procedure. The worst part was the prep the night before (I'll never drink ginger ale again) and fighting with the insurance company afterwards (that is still ongoing). But...I have colon cancer on both sides of my family tree and I would MUCH rather have periodic colonoscopies that go through what my parents and grandparents have had to endure.

[FlaGranny]

3. The preparation is the BAD part

of a colonoscopy and since the same prep is needed for both procedures, it won't make a lot of difference as far as patient comfort. The virtual colonoscopy would be a tiny bit safer because it prevents any kind of perforation, but perforation is an extremely rare occurrence. Drinking 4 liters of a thickish, not very tasty (ugh) liquid, followed by a bottle of magnesium citrate, and a bisacodyl tablet, believe it or not, is the worst part of the entire test - even worse than the resulting diarrhea. The test itself is a piece of cake.

[RedEarth]

5. Agreed....the prep is the bad part.....

the colonoscopy is something you don't even notice. I would op for the colonoscopy due to the fact that if they found any polups during a virtual they would need to do a colonopcopy anyway. In addition, some insurance companies won't pay for a virtual yet.

[newyawker99]

4. Truthisfreedom

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NYer99
DU Moderator

[librechik]

6. I'm doing this soon--

My insurance covers it!

Still gotta prep, tho